A | B |
appropriation | approval of gov't spending |
bicameral | two-house legislative body |
bill | a proposed law |
constituent | person whom a member of Congress represents |
entitlement | required gov't spending from one year to the nex |
filibuster | Senate method of defeating a bill by continuing debate |
gerrymander | to draw a district's boundaries to gain an election advantage |
incumbent | elected official already in office |
mandate | formal order given by a higher authority |
quorum | number of members who must be present for Congress to vote |
reapportionment | reassigning representation based on population |
rider | provision added to a bill on a subject other that the one covered in the bill |
seniority system | gives leadership positions to the longest serving member of the majority party |
whip | assistant to the party leader |
veto | rejection of a bill |
President Pro Tempore (Senate) | Ted Stevens |
Senate Majority Leader | Bill Frist |
Senate Minority Leader | Harry Reid |
Speaker of the House | Dennis Hastert |
House Majority Leader | Roy Blunt |
House Minority Leader | Nancy Pelosi |
Senate Majority Whip | Mitch McConnell |
Senate Minority Whip | Dick Durbin |
House Majority Whip | Roy Blunt (sort of) |
House Minority Whip | Steny Hoyer |